Envelope



June 15 1926.

J. C. SCHILKE ENVELOPE June 4- 924 Filed TURN EY.

Patented June 15, 1926.

UNITED- TA S PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN G. SCHILKE, or MILWAUKEE, Wisconsin, sswmp. or one-HALF TQHERMAN raonnrrcn,fm., or MILWAUKEE, wIscoNsrN.

ENVELOPE.

Application filed June 4, 1924,. SerialNe. 717,707.

This invention relates in general to improvements in envelopes or similanwrap pers for inclosing communications and other, valuables preparatory to transmission thereof by mail.

An object of an improved envelope structure which'is simple in construction and eflicient and practical in use. i i

It has heretofore been attempted to produce various envelope structures and attachments for the same, for the purpose of making the envelopes proofagainst being opened and the contents rifled, without detection; Some of the prior safety envelopes have failed to gain commercial consideration because they did not effectively accomplish the objects sought. Others have proven uncommercial because they were too complicated and expensive.

The present invention contemplates the provision of a safety attachment for envelopes and the like, which is extremely simple, efficient, inexpensive and practical in every way. The improved device besides being readily applicable at but slight additional cost, to envelopes or wrappers of or-' dinary standard construction, provides for compound sealing of the wrapper with substance which is not soluble in water thus preventing opening of the seals by steam ing. The improved safety appliance may be readily manufactured with the aid of dies, and when applied to an envelope, provides a durable wrapper which is capable of withstanding considerable abuse without danger of destruction. The improvement besides insuring safe transmission of inclosures, affords excellent opportunities for ad vertisement without. necessity of printing the advertising matter upon the envelope itself. These and other specific objects and advantages of the present improvement will.

be apparent in the course of the accompanying description.

A clear conception of several embodiments of the invention and of the commercial application thereof, may be had by referring to the drawing accompanying and forming part of this specification in which like reference characters designate the same or similar parts in the various views.

Fig. 1 is a rear View of an open standard the invention isto-provide envelope having an'iinproved safety appliance attached therein and showing a letter partially inserted within the wrapper.

Fig. 2 is a rear View of one form of the improved safety appliance.

Fig. 3 is arear'view. of a sealed standard envelope having an improved safety appliance associated therewith, a fragment of'the envelopeand safety appliance having been brokeniaway- Referring specifically to the embodiment of the invention disclosed in Figs. 1, 2 and 3,; the standard envelope comprises a front portion which is not visiblein the drawing;

back portion formed ofthree-permanently connected triangular flaps 7, 8, 9; and a main triangular sealing flap 2 attached to the upper edge of the front portion and having a gummed strip 11 for attaching the main flap 2 to the rear flaps 7, 8, 9 ma well known manner. One form of safety appliance applicable to this type of envelope comprises a safety sheet 4 slightly smaller in size than the interior of the envelope and having an integral auxiliary safety flap 3 at the medial portion of its upper edge. As shown, the entire rear sur-.

face 6 of the safety sheet 4 and flap is gu'inmed, preferably with a mucilaginous substance which is relatively insoluble in water and hence capable of resisting destructive action of steam. The medial portion of the junction between the main sealing flap 2 and the front portion of the envelope is provided with a slit 10 which is slightly longer than the widest portion of the auxiliary safety flap 3.

When the form of safety appliance shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3 is applied to an envelope such as shown, the gum on the lower portion of the rear surface 6 is softened and the safety sheet 4 is inserted within the envelope wrapper'as illustrated in Fig. 1, whereupon the sheet 4 is permanently attached to the inner surfaces of the rear flaps 7, .8, 9. The letter 5 or other inclosure may then be inserted in the envelope between the front portion and the safety sheet 4.. After the letter 5 has been completely inserted, the auxiliary safety flap 3 should be passed through the slot 10. The gummed strip 11 and the remaining exposed gummed surface 6 may then be prepared for sealing whereupon the flaps 2, 3 form without departing from the present may be folded and permanently sealed as shown in. Fig. 3-. \Vith the envelope. thns sealed, the main sealing flap 2 besides being attached to the flaps 7, 8, 9 by virtue. of the gummed. strip 11, is attached to the safety sheet 45 and to the auxiliary flap 3, thus providing a compound seal for the envelope.

From the foregoing description it will be obvious that with the present improvement an extremely simple, efficient, inexpensive and practical safety attachment is provided. The improved; device may be: appliedx either to:- standard or. special envelopes; at but slight addziti-onali cost and provides a double seal which cannot; beopened and: rescaled without detection The insert safety sheet of. Fig. 2 may be: manufacturediwitlit the aid of dies and. serves to reenforc'ethe-1 enve lopes; to which it. is applied. By permit.- ting the. safety flap to: extend ontside'of'the envelope, this flap may be provided; with printed advertising matter! and may also be additionally secured withisealing wax. The safety flap; Ina-ymoreover. be: sealed either to: theif'ront or; the rear" of the: envelope and is; subject: to; considerablevv modification in invention.

It should be; understood that it is not desired. to limit the invention. to the exact details of construction herein shown and described, for various modifications within the scope of the claim" may occur to persons skilled in the art.

It is claimed and desired to secure by Letters Patent A. safety envelope comprising an ordinary envelope wrapper having a main sealing flapiand: a slit directly at the junction between thexma-in flap: and the front otthe wrapper, and an insert sheet. secured; to the inside; surfaceof' the rear of said. wrapper and having an upper edge extending sub:- stantially across the wrapper. closely adjacent tosaid junction, said. sheet having an auxiliary flap formed for'insertion through said slit and gummed for direct attachment to; the: exterior: of said wrapper main flap only after being inserted through said slit.

testimony whereof, the; signature of the? inventor: is; afiixed hereto.

JQH-N SGHILKEi 

